Sri Lankan all rounder Thisara Perera, who scored a blistering half century in the second ODI against Pakistan, has been considered for selection after President Mahinda Rajapaksa intervened in the matter, SLC sources told ‘Asian Mirror’.

Perera became the man of the match yesterday for his all round performance when Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 77 runs and squared the series.

The all rounder was considered for selection after a hiatus of a few months. He was pulled out of the cricket team when he fell out with Sanath Jayasuriya, Chief Selector of the National cricket team, when the latter barred him from playing for T20 league matches.

Although Perera was included in the Sri Lankan A team which toured in England,  he stepped down from the team citing “mental stress”. It was widely speculated that Thisara would retire from international cricket and migrate to New Zealand.

However, it is learnt that the President has personally contacted Thisara Perera and inquired him about the incident. Thisara Perera had told the President that he was treated in a shabby manner by some prominent administrators. 

The President had urged the cricketer not to make any hasty decisions such as retiring from international cricket and had asked him to “be patient”.  Rajapaksa had later instructed cricket authorities to resolve their matters with a prudent approach, avoiding unwanted clashes with players.

Perera, speaking to media after the match yesterday, said he worked with three coaches to improve his batting and bowling during the time he was rested.